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MyDonate is closing

Rohan Riches walks to shine light on Melanoma UK

Rohan Riches is slightly nervous about her forthcoming fundraising challenge. She is trekking alone for seven months throughout Scandinavia and covering a distance of 3,000 miles. Rohan has committed to walking this distance because she is fundraising on MyDonate for Melanoma UK – a charity that has supported her mother with her own challenging journey of coping with this form of skin cancer.

“I was first made aware of Melanoma four years ago when my mum had a mole removed and was then diagnosed with skin cancer. Unfortunately, this summer, we found out that the cancer had returned and spread to her lymph nodes and now my mum needs radiotherapy treatment. But, throughout all of this Melanoma UK has offered my mum continual support and now, I want to give something back to the charity.”

Melanoma UK was set up in 2007 to provide specialist nurses, care and advice for patients and families throughout the UK, while also funding research into melanoma. Over the last decade melanoma incidence rates in the UK have increased by almost half (45%) but like many people, Rohan only realised that more needs to be done to educate people about this type of cancer after her mother’s diagnosis.

“When I speak to people about skin cancer they are seemingly unaware of the risks posed every day. You don’t have to worship the sun or go on sunbeds to develop melanoma – a research from The Skin Cancer Foundation has found that ‘there are more skin cancer cases due to indoor tanning than there are lung cancer cases due to smoking’ indicating they are a significant cause of melanoma”, says Rohan.

Rohan acknowledges that her fascination with Scandinavian culture and Viking history has not only inspired her to walk in these countries, but will also help motivate her on what is set to be a physically demanding route. She is preparing for the trip by increasing her fitness by walking, jogging and cycling in and around the Malvern Hills.

Melanoma UK has been supportive of her efforts. “I’ve got direct contact with the founder of the charity, Gillian Nuttall, so it’s a big help to know that any help I need is only a Facebook message or email away.”

Rohan wants to raise £7,500 for the charity and is confident that this will help them support more patients and families. She’s also confident in her choice of fundraising platform.

“Before I started fundraising I did extensive research into which platform to use, because it’s important that these platforms don’t charge a commission and take away valuable funds. MyDonate doesn’t charge commission, so more money will go to Melanoma UK. Every penny makes a difference and the sole purpose of my challenge is to make a difference.”